2010 is the year of Glory, of Royalty, of Fun and of Excitement…

2010 is the year of Glory, of Royalty, of Fun and of Excitement…

by Rod Cantiveros

The 2010 Winter olympic gold medals are the highest achievements received by the Canadian athletes especially when Sidney Crosby scores the goal which turns the whole country- from coast to coast -into a frenzy of celebrations and exaltations. Indeed, Canada, the host country, has been in the 9nth cloud even during and after the game. In the local front, Olympic fever hits winnipeg when some Filipino Canadian carry the Olympic torch and when the popular Brakada performs the torch relay ceremony at the Forks.

The spirit of giving is shown by MACFFA and FCTPAM when these groups of Filipino volunteers extend their arms to help the Haiti victims. The City of Winnipeg’s Citizen’s Equity created a new award to honour the legacy of the late Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad Cantiveros. The annual award focuses on the youth whose initiative and involvelment for self-betterment and helping others. Emelda Eradukunda, from Ruwanda; and Michael Beaulieu, a former poster child, are the 1st recipients of Rosalinda Linsangan Natividad Cantiveros Courage Award. Human Trafficking walk headed by MP Joy Smith, Kildonan-St Paul, serves as an awareness of the crime. Later, the private bill of Ms. Joy Smith becomes a law.

At the Philippine Military Academy accepts ‘short’ applicants to 5’ from 5’4’ for males; and 5’2’ for females. Brig. General Francisco Cruz, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines wants to “increase the level of quality of new batches of soldiers. In the entertainment circle, John Lloyd and Bea Alonzo become the hottest love team in the Philippines. Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriquez are back together from abroad. Philippine election is the hottest topic especially when Noynoy Aquino decided to run for president. Noynoy Aquino and Jojemar Binay win the presidency and vice presidency respectively. Later, he wants to be called as P-Noy. Manny Pacquiao, a boxer icon and number 6 in sports ranking millioniares, becomes a congressman: from the bloody ring to the political arena. And to top them all, Pacquiao scores big against Mexican boxer, Antonio Magarito.

Local entertainment scores many pluses when Joseph Sevillo, former Winnipeg actor, got his dream role as Angel in RENT. Sevillo receives a critical acclaim from his very convincing performance. And Mimoza Duot, a multitalented young singer, qualifies as one of the YTV’s top 6 and her participation leads to some contracts for recording in Toronto.

2010 Folklorama becomes an amazing race for Myra Ibabao-Valmonte when she becomes the 1st Filipino Journal Ambassador who visited to capture the unique Folklorama Spirit.

Queen Elizabeth thrills Winnipeg when she unveils the marker at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Her one-day visit in Winnipeg seems to be enough for us to sing: “God Save The Queen”. And to excite the homesick Filipinos, Vickar Jeepney, direct from Manila, is unveiled at the PCCM with Larry and Tova Vickar together with the kababayans and PCCM officers and board of directors.

Local politics is hot in 2010. To have an official Liberal candidate for the federal by-election for the Winnipeg, North, Kevin Lamoureux gets his wish when he wins the nomination against Councillor Pagtakhan. And to pause for the civic election, Lito Taruc runs for the councillor for the Daniel McIntyre ward. He places 4th.Councillor Mike Pagtakhan bags the third term for Point Douglas. Federal by-election becomes the news of the day when Julie Javier runs for the Conservative Party against Kevin Lamoureux of the Liberal and Kevin Chief of the NDP. Kevin Lamoureux extends his political might from Inkster riding to Ottawa for Winnipeg North. And 1st time for an ethnic paper, Ron Cantiveros, CEO and president of Molave Publishing, publisher of the Manitoba and Alberta Filipino Journal, Filipino Wedidng Guide and Filbusiness Directory, is granted a one-on one interview with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

What a heavy 2010 is For the 1st time, Elder Abuse has been discussed during the conference sponsored by the Knights of Rizal and Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. The Innovative Cultural Approaches in the Prevention of Elder Abuse (ICAPEA) program receives $100,000 grant from Human Resources Skills and Development Canada under the New Horizon for Senior Program. The KOR and MAFTI joint initiative targets the elder abuse in the Asian communities….and to welcome 2011, The Filipino Journal celebrates its 25th anniversary of publication. Watch for the coming many exciting news and events!